Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/186

196 exists through the Pope, as he through God. If therefore the church and the world are to stand well, the priestly and the kingly power must be agreed, and both must strive after one purpose: the peace and unity of the world. The world is governed by two lights—by the sun, the greater, and by the moon, the lesser. Thus is the apostolic power like the sun; the kingly power like the moon. This latter also gives light only through the former; so with Emperors, Kings, and Princes, they are only through the Pope, because he is through God. Thus, the power of the Papal chair is far greater than the power of the throne, and Kings owe obedience and submission to Popes. According as the Pope is through God, and in the place of God, so is every thing placed under him; all matters, both temporal and spiritual, belong to his judgment-seat; he shall teach, exhort, punish, improve, condemn, and decide. The church is the divine judgment-seat, and renders account to God of the sins of mankind. She teaches the right way; she is the finger of God. The Pope is the governor under Christ, and over all. Therefore is his office a high, important, and arduous office; for it is written: ‘Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’ Thus spake Christ to Peter. But the Romish church exists through Peter, therefore the power of the keys is with her. The community of Christ is built upon Peter.